Obi-Wan Kenobi - Premium Format Figures

Obi-Wan Kenobi was once a noble Jedi Knight in the days of the Old Republic, before the Jedi Order was extinguished and before the tyrannical Empire ruled the galaxy. After the fall of the Jedi, Obi-Wan retreated to the isolated Jundland Wastes on the desert planet Tatooine. Many locals dismissed the old hermit as a crazy wizard and never suspected that he was a once-great warrior and former general of the Republic. In actuality, Kenobi was silently observing from afar the young farm-boy Luke Skywalker, whose future was unknowingly linked to the survival of the Jedi and the Rebellion. When Obi-Wan saves Luke from a band of Tusken Raiders, he begins to mentor young Skywalker in the ways of the Force, and together with starship Captain Han Solo, his copilot Chewbacca, and the two droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, they set out to rescue the Rebel leader Princess Leia from the Empire's dreaded Death Star. While aboard the Imperial stronghold, Obi-Wan faces his old apprentice Darth Vader, now a Dark Lord of the Sith. A noble example of conviction and self-sacrifice, Obi-Wan allows himself to fall at the hands of Vader so that Luke can escape to the Rebellion and ensure the viability of its future.

Collectors of Sideshow Collectibles’ Premium Format Figures line knew that it was only a matter of time before they would produce Obi-Wan Kenobi to serve as the yang to Darth Vader’s yin. What’s more, they ensured that Obi-Wan Kenobi would be sculpted in a way so that he would be interactive with the Dark Lord of the Sith when you posed them next to each other. With both of them sculpted with electronics so that their respective lightsaber blades will light up, they’re a match made in heaven and beautiful centerpieces for any collection. Obi-Wan Kenobi may not be an intriguing as Darth Vader, but it should be known that Sideshow Collectibles did a splendid job on bringing him to life in one-quarter scale. There are some setbacks in the sculpt, like the awkward twist Obi-Wan Kenobi is positioned. As a result, Obi-Wan Kenobi looks much better when posed alongside Darth Vader than by himself. It may have been better to pose Obi-Wan Kenobi (as well as Darth Vader) is less action-oriented poses so that they could offer more versatility in your collection, but apparently that wasn’t the way it was meant to be.

Obi-Wan Kenobi has an excellent portrait. That is the one detail of this piece that captures your attention and encapsulates what makes this Premium Format Figure so fantastic. The sculptors were successful in giving him an appropriately aged look in his eyes and hands. You’ll see plenty of wrinkles and imperfections in the skin that exude his years of wisdom in the Force and his exceptional guidance to those new learning the ways of the Force. All of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s clothing is real fabric. Sideshow Collectibles added layer after layer of clothing on Obi-Wan Kenobi. He is wearing a shirt, pants, tabards, belt and outer robe all of which are tailored to his unique body frame. All of these layers together recreate an exact replica of the costume we saw Sir Alec Guinness wear in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Obi-Wan Kenobi comes with electronics. The top half of his lightsaber hilt with the ignited blue blade detaches from and reattaches to the other part permanently molded in his hands. When plugged in and with the button pushed on, the blade ignites. We’re not fans of this feature, but many PF collectors seem to prefer this option.

Obi-Wan Kenobi comes with a nearly exact environmental base that the Darth Vader Premium Format Figure did. It is a section of the Death Star floor and it’s in a crescent shape that Obi-Wan Kenobi stands firmly when the pegs on his foot are inserted into it. When fully situated, Obi-Wan Kenobi looks fantastic. And again, he looks even better when you have the Darth Vader Premium Format Figure situated next to him. The Sideshow Exclusive accessory is a bit odd, but nonetheless awesome. Sideshow has included a 1/4 scale training remote that sits atop a stand permanently. The sculpt is awesome and the scale is literally perfection, but why would this be the accessory of choice when the piece is based on his final duel with Darth Vader? Regardless, you can use the training remote next to another more fitting Premium Format Figure if you so choose. Sideshow Collectibles is running, not walking, with the Star Wars Premium Format Figures line. Luke Skywalker and Han Solo may be weaker as far as approach and final design, but collectibles like Obi-Wan Kenobi show that the line has incredible potential.

Collector Notes

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Status: The Premium Format 1/4 Scale Obi-Wan Kenobi figure captures old Ben as he faces Vader in the long Death Star corridor. The figure is constructed of hand-cast polystone, hand painted to exacting standards, and dressed in the full costume accurately reproduced in 1/4 scale. The lightsaber features an electronic light-up function, powered by your choice of batteries or via an included power cord. The underside of the base is printed with the artist's signature and the edition information.

Announcement: The Obi-Wan Kenobi Premium Format Figure was revealed on July 10, 2005.

Pre-order Information: The Obi-Wan Kenobi Premium Format Figure went up for pre-order on July 10, 2005.